The east coast of the United States is preparing for what weather
forecasters expect to be one of the biggest storms ever to hit the
mainland.

Hurricane Sandy is moving up the Atlantic coast and is expected to join
with two winter storm systems. Forecasters are calling this a hybrid “superstorm,”
bringing damaging winds, heavy rains, flooding and snow in some areas.
They expect it to span some 1,200 kilometers and affect up to 60 million
residents starting late Monday.

The hurricane already has winds of 120 kilometers per hour with higher
gusts extending outward of up to 165 kilometers from the center.

Authorities are urging citizens to make sure they stock up on drinkable
water, canned food and batteries, and be prepared to spend days without
power.

New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and the
nation's capital, Washington, have all declared states of emergency.
Authorities in Delaware state have ordered some mandatory evacuations.
The mayor of New York City has closed the school system of more than one
million students on Monday and ordered the evacuation of some low-lying
areas.

White
House officials say President Barack Obama has told federal emergency
workers to get ready to move into action when storm-battered states call
for help. He has cancelled some campaign stops to remain at the White
House and monitor the storm.

His Republican challenger, former Governor Mitt Romney, also cancelled
campaign events in the critical battleground state of Virginia because
of the storm.

Hurricane Sandy tore through the Caribbean region days ago, killing some
60 people in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti.